Sen. Brian Rhodes

Maddy summarySB 3175 appropriates $2,000,000 from the Mississippi State General Fund to the City of Florence for purchasing and installing a new water well. The funds are designated specifically for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027) to cover costs associated with this infrastructure project. The bill directly affects the City of Florence by providing state funding for a municipal water well construction. It is a straightforward funding allocation with no additional policy provisions beyond the specified appropriation.

Maddy summarySB 3170 appropriates $1,000,000 from Mississippi’s State General Fund to Smith County for countywide infrastructure improvements during fiscal year 2027 (July 2026-June 2027). The funds are intended to cover costs related to infrastructure projects across Smith County, with no specific projects or requirements detailed in the bill. Smith County government will receive the funds directly through state payment mechanisms, as outlined in the bill’s funding and disbursement provisions. This is a one-time appropriations bill with no new policy requirements or broader legislative changes.

Maddy summarySB 2861 increases Mississippi's income tax credit for private landowners who plant eligible trees (pine or hardwood) using approved reforestation methods like seedling planting, mixed-stand regeneration, or direct seeding. It raises the annual credit limit to $20,000 per taxpayer (with a lifetime cap of $125,000) for costs related to these practices on nonindustrial private lands. Landowners must follow a written reforestation plan verified by a certified forester and cannot claim the credit if they received state/federal cost-share funds for the same work (unless their income is below federal earned income levels). The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, directly benefiting private forest landowners seeking tax savings for sustainable tree planting.

Maddy summarySB 2859 exempts sales of tangible personal property at auction by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWT) from Mississippi's state sales tax, provided NWT qualifies as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit under federal tax law. This amendment adds NWT to the existing list of tax-exempt organizations under Mississippi Code §27-65-111, specifically expanding the exemption for 501(c)(3) entities covered in subsection (b). The exemption applies solely to auction sales conducted by NWT as a 501(c)(3) organization, not to other types of transactions. This is a procedural update to the tax code, not a new policy change.

Maddy summarySB 2235 requires Mississippi local law enforcement to notify a juvenile's school district within 24 hours of arresting a person aged 12-18 for a felony. The law directly affects schools, law enforcement agencies, and juveniles involved in felony arrests. It specifies that "local law enforcement" (within the same county as the school) must provide this notification, defining "juvenile" as ages 12-18. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and expires June 30, 2026, per the text. This is a procedural requirement focused on timely school notification, not policy changes to arrest procedures.

Maddy summarySB 2802 makes it a misdemeanor for parents, legal guardians, or custodians to falsely claim residency (domicile) to enroll a child in a Mississippi school district without actually living there. It imposes fines up to $1,000 or up to six months in jail for such violations. The bill requires schools to notify law enforcement if a student is enrolled in violation of this rule and mandates that the school district deny future enrollment for the child involved. This directly affects families seeking to enroll children in districts where they do not reside, aiming to prevent fraudulent enrollment for school funding or other benefits.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate Resolution (SR 33), not a bill with policy changes. It formally commends the Mississippi Forestry Commission for its 100th anniversary, recognizing its century of service in wildfire protection, forest management, and supporting Mississippi's forest-based economy. The resolution has no legal effect or direct impact on any individuals, landowners, or policies - it serves solely as a symbolic gesture of appreciation. The Senate will present it to the Commission and share it with state officials.

Maddy summarySB 2142 would have prohibited drivers without the minimum required liability insurance from recovering damages after a car accident. It directly affects drivers who were uninsured at the time of the crash, blocking their ability to seek compensation for accident-related injuries or property damage. The bill’s key provision states that operating a vehicle without the mandated insurance coverage (per Mississippi Code §63-15-1 et seq.) automatically disqualifies the driver from seeking damages. However, the bill died in committee in February 2026 and never became law.

Maddy summarySB 2251 allows counties in Mississippi without a local newspaper to publish certain official notices (like bond resolutions) on their official county website instead of in print. For notices requiring 21 days of public posting, counties without a newspaper can post them online for the same duration. The bill requires counties to ensure online notices are secure, verifiable, and publicly accessible. This change applies to specific notice requirements in sections of Mississippi law governing county bond issuances and resolutions.

Maddy summarySB 2240 would require Mississippi high school students to complete a civics course demonstrating knowledge of U.S. government, history, and principles, beginning with the Jamestown settlement in 1607. The bill mandates that the U.S. History curriculum include content from 1607 to the present, and students must show civics proficiency to earn a standard diploma. This requirement applies to all students graduating in the 2026-2027 school year or later. The State Board of Education would develop the curriculum and assessments to meet these standards.